Made us sit

March 31

Made Us Sit
sunkathizō

Concluding our thoughts of the last few days, there is still another word that underscores our new life in Christ. Eph_2:6 declares that God has “made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

The words made us sit are sunkathizō (G4776), which means “to cause to sit down together.” The root is kathizō, “to cause to sit down.” This means little to us unless we understand that sitting was often a mark of honor or authority in the ancient world.

For example, a king sat to receive his subjects; members of a court sat and passed judgment on the one who stood before them; a teacher sat and taught his students. So the idea conveyed by this word is that of honor.

In fact, this word is used of Christ in Eph_1:20 to convey the fact that He is “seated with honor in the heavenlies.” Then, when the prefix sun (G4862) is added, we have the meaning, “to cause to sit together in Christ.” In the spiritual sense, then, we have already been (aorist [past] tense) enthroned and exalted with Christ.

What does all that mean in practice? Simply this: Since we are already seated with Christ in heaven, let us now act like it on earth. Meditate on Colossians 3:1-3

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

How plain Paul makes this in the “sister book” to Ephesians! God has given us new life and new potential; we are now to live like it. There is an old cliché that’s been popular for many years.

It was first uttered by a famous evangelist in the nineteenth century but is nonetheless wrong. The cliché goes, “Some Christians are so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good.”

How ridiculous that is! It’s impossible for a Christian to be “too” heavenly minded. Yes, there are those who act sanctimonious, self-righteous, and superior, but that is not heavenly mindedness.

Being heavenly minded means exactly what Paul says-setting our thoughts, values, words, deeds, and all else on the things of heaven. Moreover, God cannot use us unless we are heavenly minded.

Scriptures for Study: What is the object of affection in 1Ch_29:3? Read Psa_119:97-168. How many times does the psalmist mention his love for God’s Word? What synonyms does he use (e.g., “law” in Psa_119:97)?

 
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